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WMO's Muskegon Powerboat Weekend; History, Weather, and Perseverance

West Michigan Offshore's only 2018 Poker Run certainly had its challenges, all weather related. Mother Nature decided to not be very motherly for some reason this June 16th. Thunderstorms started rolling through fairly early in the morning on Saturday, postponing many of the boats arriving by water and delaying the launch of many others. But, that was not the only thing happening over the course of the Muskegon Powerboat Weekend.

The beginning of the postponed Poker Run start.

The Friday evening street party by Muskegon's Hackley Park had perfect weather, all of the storms stayed to the north. The food and drink provided by the Taste of Muskegon, live bands in the park, along with the ladies from Grand Valley State's "Laker Dance Team" made for a great evening. The number of people in attendance was incredible. Every boat there stayed surrounded by interested people from the 4:30 beginning until the boats were escorted out by the police at 9:30.

Grand Valley State's "Laker Dance Team" on Tyson Garvin's 50 Skater

Looking down the street

With rain and thunderstorms starting Saturday morning, and the possibility of continuation for hours, keeping everyone informed of changes was a bit of a challenge. The 10:30 drivers meeting was moved inside of the USS LST 393. LST 393 is one of the last two Landing Ship Tank's (LST) of the 1,051 built during World War II. This was fitting as a reminder of important things to never forget. Because, 74 years earlier, LST 393 participated in D-Day making several trips between England and France ferrying troops and vehicles. And, on this exact date 74 years earlier, LST 393 made it's third trip:

June 16, 1944
Under way at 0017 to form in convoy and proceed to Beach inBaie de la Seine, Colleville, France. Anchored at 1352 in 8 fathoms of water. Under way at 1523 to proceed closer to beach. Anchored at 1530 off Omaha, Fox Red Beach, in Colleville, France. Under way at 1738 passing through breakwaer standing out of landing harbor, Omaha Beach, Colleville, France.

During the meeting, the start time was moved back by two hours to 2:30 from 12:30 due to the thunderstorms. So some went home, some went to eat a late breakfast or early lunch, and some just chatted with friends they hadn't seen over the winter. Then, at 1:36, this came out:

Poker Run Cancelled
Because of the rain, the board has decided to cancel the poker run, and will instead host a fun run at 4pm. We'll still head north to White Hall, down to Grand Haven, and then back to Muskegon. The evening festivities will proceed as planned.

Obviously a downer for all, but spirits did stay high. Although some left, as there were still possibilities of rain in the forecast and showers remained in the area, many stayed around to wait for the 4:00 fun run. As the time passed, the rain showers finally started to diminish. Around 3:00, some of the boats that had remained on trailers began to launch. And, around 3:30, boats started to assemble for the run. A few as they were heading to wait for the start:

A few of the participants did some fly-by's for us, Thank you:

Amazingly, of the 85 or so boats originally registered, almost 50 boats stuck around and did the Fun Run/Poker Run. Talk about perseverance!! And everybody's attitudes stayed upbeat even though Mother Nature had made things a bit difficult.

A few of the boats starting the run.

After the run was over, the dinner and gathering proceeded as scheduled. Even though the Poker Run itself had to be modified into a Fun Run, (due to the Card Stop boats not being able to stay on post through the storms). The cards were still drawn, and the winner was still announced at dinner as planned. The Best Hand champion, Alex in his 38' Top Gun, won with four Jacks!! Here are a few pictures of Alex and his crew joined into a collage.

Thanks to Roger Zuidema for sending pics

Considering the odds, a great event. Good people, combined with great attitudes, makes for a great event in spite of what gets thrown at them, perseverance!

A special thank you from us all to those who sacrificed so much 74 years earlier so we could do things like this.